US lacks civilians for Afghan 'civilian surge'

[April 23, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is having trouble finding the hundreds of civilians it wants to bolster the troop buildup in Afghanistan. So military reservists might be asked to do the civilian jobs.

In announcing the new strategy for the war last month, the administration said it would send several hundred civilians -- such as agronomists, economists and legal experts -- to work on reconstruction and development issues in accompaniment with the military's counterinsurgency efforts.

Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday that the military is trying to find ways to fill the gap. That would likely be with reservists, who often have the necessary skills because of the experience they have in their civilian lives.

[Associated Press; By PAULINE JELINEK]

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